Facebook hosted its first ‘Boost Your Business’ event in Cairo, welcoming 400 small and medium business (SMB) owners to learn from businesses that have used Facebook to grow, establish connections, meet with Facebook experts, and participate in training events.

On behalf of Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Amr Talaat, Hossam Othman, advisor to the Minister for Innovation and Entrepreneurship delivered the keynote speech highlighting the role of start-ups and SMBs in driving growth. Nashwa Aly, Facebook’s head of Public Policy for MENA, covered Facebook’s role in helping SMBs.

“We are fully aware that SMBs are a vital element in the growth of any economy or market, and we consider them our essential partners in our efforts to shift towards a digital economy, and build a knowledge-based society,” Talaat said.